Ecotourism Officer & Bio Monitoring

Position: Ecotourism Officer and Biodiversity Monitoring

Location: Kaengkok-dong (Champone District capital) or Kaysone Phomvihane City, Savannakhet Province

Position Type: Full-Time

Expected travel: Daily travel to Tansoum or Dondaeng villages or other fieldwork locations, as required in Champhone, Xonnabouly Songkhone and Xaibouli districts, Savannakhet Province. Regular travel to WCS office in Kaison city for administrative work and team planning, approximately one week per month.

Term of Agreement: Up to end June 2025, with possibility of extension

Working Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with a 1.5-hour break for lunch

Line manager: Savannakhet Project Coordinator

Additional reporting to: Savannakhet Landscape Director, Technical Advisor(s)

Job Summary:

The WCS Lao program has obligations under the MOU with the Government of Lao PDR to assist with various wildlife conservation, research, and education activities. This person will assist in developing community-based ecotourism in Tansoum and Dondaeng (crocodile information center and turtle lake, respectively). The officer will assist communities in all ecotourism related activities, e.g. hosting visitors, sale of products and handicrafts, cleaning and maintenance of facilities, animal feeding and care and other site-related activities. The officer will also be involved in the preparation and implementation of business plans, with the long-term strategy being to cover the costs of running facitlities at both Tansoum and Dondaeng, and assisting communities in the implementation of these business plans. Part of the work at Tansoum and Dondaeng will be to assist communities in proper and scientific management of the crocodile and turtle head-starting facilities. The officer will also be involved in other project activities such as strengthening community committees and their activity implementation, contributing to livelihood development, participating in community outreach and biodiversity monitoring, as required.

Key responsibilities:

The Ecotourism Officer is part of the Savannakhet Landscape team and has the following key tasks:

• Work closely with and support the WCS Savannakhet team, the provincial and district authorities and the village community in the development of an eco-tourism strategy for Xe Champhone wetland
• Work closely with the WCS NEPL tourism team, in exchange of experience and on the development of tourism products for Savannakhet.
• Coordinate and supervise the establishment of eco-tourism related infrastructure and follow up on their maintenance.
• Support the community to develop a simple business plan for Ban Tansoum visitor center.
• Support the community to develop a simple business plan for Dondaeng Turtle Lake
• Support the community in the implementation of the business plans: activities, management, financial management, marketing, and promotion, etc.
• Report monthly on eco-tourism activity implementation.
• Enable communities to uphold professional and scientific standards in head-starting of crocodiles in Tansoum and turtles in Dondaeng, as well as in the keeping of adult turtles in Dondaeng.
• Assist the development of products in the villages and their marketing and ensuring sales support the community conservation work.

Additional periodic tasks:

• Assist in the implementation of Xe Champhone project’s biodiversity monitoring, as required.
• Assist in the implementation of the outreach program, as required
• Assist in strengthening capacity of communities to co-manage the Xe Champhone wetland and related project components.
• Assist in project community livelihood development, as required

Requirements:

• Education Minimum of Diploma or bachelor’s degree in biology, Environmental or Tourism related studies
• Knowledge (desired) Working knowledge of general conservation principles, natural resource management issues in Laos and Savannakhet Province, laws related to community natural resource management resource planning and protected areas.
• Experience At least one year experience working with international NGO’s or the private sector

One year of relevant experience working with communities and government in Lao PDR related to the field, natural resources, and/or conservation Experience working on ecotourism in Laos or in Savannakhet Province (desired)

• General skills

Excellent Lao language skills both written and verbal Very good English-speaking skills and the ability to produce reports in English Computer literacy, particularly proficiency using Microsoft Office products

• Ability Proven ability to work hard as part of a dedicated team Ability to learn quickly and flexibly adapt management of activities on short notice. Ability to organize monthly activities and field budgets planning.
• Personal qualities Willingness to be based in Champhone district, Savannakhet province Willingness to spend extended periods of time working and staying with communities and in the field (Champhone, Songkhone, Xonnabouly and Xaibouly districts)

Willingness to travel to Kaysone Phomivhane City for meetings.

Willingness to learn and apply new skills.

Patience, Tolerance, Flexibility, Good people skill

Application Process:
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications should apply by emailing an application letter and CV together to: “recruitmentlaos@wcs.org” latest by 17 October 2024 deadline.
Please include “Senior Accountant” in the subject line of your email.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for next step.